Bay of Plenty Regional Council has confirmed the development of a new Tauranga Public Transport Operations Facility.
The facility, which will be at the corner of Spring and Durham Sts, marks a significant step in supporting the city’s growth and urban transformation, the regional council said in a statement released this week.
The facility will serve as a dedicated off-street location where buses can pause between trips before continuing their journey.
Known as layovers, these scheduled stops support regulated driver breaks and will help keep buses running to schedule, ensuring smoother commutes for public transport users.
The facility will provide space for up to 12 vehicles and include on-site facilities for drivers.
It will also free-up valuable on-street space for parking, making the city centre more accessible for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Construction is set to begin in April, with the facility expected to be operational by August.
Regional council transport planning manager Andrew Williams said the project addresses challenges posed by the city’s growth.
“This facility is a practical solution to ease the pressure on parking in the CBD, while ensuring our buses can operate safely and efficiently.
“By moving layovers off the street, we’re supporting a more functional and accessible city centre for everyone.
“It’s part of our efforts to create better, safer, and smarter connections for our growing community.”
The project is part of the regional council’s commitment to supporting an efficient bus network.
While local councils typically manage infrastructure projects, the regional council has stepped in to address an immediate need for dedicated bus layover space.
This ensures the network can continue to operate reliably, while reducing the demand for on-street parking in the CBD.
In parallel, Tauranga City Council is moving and upgrading the Durham St bus stops as part of its broader city centre redevelopment. This will create a modern transport hub to enhance the passenger experience.
While the Tauranga Public Transport Operations Facility is still in the planning and design stage, the project team will provide regular updates to keep the community informed about construction progress and milestones.
5 comments
Bus shelters
Posted on 13-02-2025 13:32 | By Joshua Meyer
The best thing is to have all bus shelters on each side and two meter long bus stop and for the bus shelters need solar to make the lights to work and a touch screen timetable to find how long the bus takes. Even you need security cameras and security Gard and Tauranga also need electric buses instead of petal. And why can’t you create a new bee card that does points so people can use it for coffee ,lunch movies restaurants groceries ,rates ,taxi planes, travel clothes shopping. And for the bee card should become credit card for all of these what I have type
Hmmm
Posted on 13-02-2025 14:35 | By Let's get real
How much more money is going to be thrown at a dysfunctional service that has to employ overseas workers...?
This is presumably additional to the redevelopment of the bus shelters on the same stretch of road.
I've expressed my opinion about our city planning staff far too many times in the past and I'm appalled to see that absolutely no more thought is being used in those offices. We need to remove the department signs and the staff, because there's absolutely NO PLANNING happening and no restraint on idealistic spending.
IT'S A CITY, NOT A THEME PARK.
Clairvoyant
Posted on 13-02-2025 16:51 | By formulafuzz
Our councils live and plane by the Laws of Unintended Consequences. I predict this will be another total wast of ratepayer funds. When will they grasp the fact nobody wants to visit the CBD regularly anymore.
Really?
Posted on 14-02-2025 07:57 | By Thats Nice
For goodness sake, get the shops back before spending anymore $$ in the dead CBD.
Another blow
Posted on 14-02-2025 08:16 | By Kancho
Poor users and businesses of Durham Street another nail in the coffin. Seems the " revitalisation " will have another victim and become another dead space in the feel of the city.
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